New Research Finds Texas Immigration Law Has Harmful Health Effects

New research on the impact of Texas demanding local law enforcement to work with federal immigration individuals found:

• 2,800 Rio Grande Valley residents were deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2017 
  
• 1,800 US-born children in Rio Grande Valley had a parent deported by ICE in 2017

​ ​
They also determined that fears of deportation and family separation negatively impact child and family health.

• "The incidence of childhood PTSD is potentially higher in the Valley. Our survey found nearly 1 in 5 children of all survey respondents (regardless of immigration status) experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared with 1 in 20 children in the US."
• "Immigration stress impacts kids’ school success. Our survey found that 40% of undocumented respondents have a child who shows symptoms of school avoidance anxiety."
• "Fears of deportation also harm adult health. Our research shows that adults in the Rio Grande Valley are also experiencing mental and physical health challenges, from anxiety to difficulty accessing medical care."

They propose a public health approach to local law enforcement practices, in order to make sure the health and safety of Rio Grande Valley children and families stay protected.